Whether you’re a visitor to Vancouver trying to determine the quickest way to get downtown from the airport or you merely want a convenient mode of transportation to go shopping, taking the Canada Line alleviates the stress of driving, avoids all the traffic congestion and looking for a place to park, especially around the city centre.

It’s time to shed those down parkas and woolly toques; after what has been an unbearably long, cold winter, a profusion of pink cherry blossoms punctuate the city landscape and herald the return of spring to the West Coast.

While downtown Vancouver has the full range of culinary options ranging from family-style large chains to fine dining in the immediate vicinity of The Auberge Hotel, there’s hidden gem located at the rear of the building: The Lions Pub boasts modern pub fare served in a lively, convivial atmosphere. The menu runs the gamut from traditional British comfort food to a wide range of sandwiches, burgers and salads. Of course there’s beer on tap as well as a huge selection of craft beer, too!

Both visitors and locals alike would agree that Vancouver is visually picture postcard perfect, especially when it boasts mountains and an ocean nearby for a handy backdrop, but this world class cosmopolitan city in the Pacific Northwest is absolutely captivating when she’s all glammed up for the holidays.

One of life’s guilty pleasures: savouring the first bite of a fresh, buttery croissant served in Auberge Hotel’s Le Salon baked daily by Baguette & Co, a preeminent French bakery with multiple locations in Vancouver.

Without a doubt Vancouver reigns supreme as having a huge coffee culture, but there’s something altogether soothing about a mid-afternoon cup of tea to escape the frenetic cacophony of downtown Vancouver.

An exceedingly pleasant way to see the city as well as to get across False Creek with an exceptional view from the water involves climbing on board one of the little blue boats that glide effortlessly on the waterways: False Creek Ferries is probably one of Vancouver’s best kept secrets as a notable and interesting mode of transportation.